complete verse (1 Chronicles 2:31)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of 1 Chronicles 2:31:

  • Kupsabiny: “Appaim had a son who was called Ishi. Ishi produced Sheshan who came to produce Ahlai.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Appaim’s son was Ishi. Ishi’s son was Sheshan. Sheshan’s son was Ahlai.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The son of Apaim was Ishi. Ishi was the father of Sheshan, and Sheshan was the father of Alai.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 1 Chronicles 2:31

The plural, sons, occurs three times in this verse. But in each case, the name of only one son is mentioned (see the comments on 1 Chr 1.40). Many English versions translate this plural as a singular because of the context (so New Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Revised English Bible).

Appa-im was one of Nadab’s sons (verse 30). See the comments on the previous verse for the proposed correction of the text to read “Ephraim.”

The sons of Sheshan: Ahlai: According to verse 34, Sheshan had no sons, only daughters. Unless there is a contradiction in the text, Ahlai must then be a daughter and not a son; and sons here is used in the sense of “offspring.” The rendering of Good News Translation leaves this possibility open. However, some interpreters think that verses 34-41 represent a different genealogical source from this verse, so they understand Ahlai to be the name of a son; for example, Reina-Valera revisada has “and the son of Sheshan was Ahlai” (similarly Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible). It is impossible to know which interpretation is correct, that is, whether Ahlai was a son or a daughter.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Chronicles 2:31

2:31a The son of Appaim: Ishi. The son of Ishi: Sheshan.

Appiam’s son ⌊was called⌋ Ishi. Ishi ⌊was the father of⌋ Sheshan.
-or-
Appiam ⌊had a⌋ son named Ishi. Ishi had a son called Sheshan.

2:31b The son of Sheshan: Ahlai.

Ahlai’s father ⌊was⌋ Sheshan.
-or-
Sheshan had a son ⌊called⌋ Ahlai.

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